Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. It includes the operation of all relevant ancillary equipment.

Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

The processes covered by this unit include, but are not limited to:
rod
sheet
profile
film
tube/hose
tyre tread
cable.

This competency includes equipment and tools such as:
extruder equipment and components such as main drive, gear box, thrust assembly, adapter, gate, breaker plate, screen pack, doser, screw/s, barrel, heaters, thermocouples
extrusion dies - rod, sheet, pipe, profile and cable
auxiliary equipment - water pump, feeders, hopper loader, pelletiser, dehumidifiers, etc.
tools for taking samples
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
fumes/vapours
burns
moving equipment
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards.

Respond to/rectify 'non-routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a variety of predictable problems'.

Typical problems include:
equipment malfunction
variations in materials
contamination of materials
temperature/speed variations.

Key variables to be monitored include:
operating temperatures
speed
colour
output rate
product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise material and equipment conditions which may lead to out of specification production.
Knowledge of the enterprise's procedures and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards.

Competence includes the ability for the practical completion of the job to:
apply and/or explain:
function of extruder equipment, machine components and materials used
function of downstream equipment - stackers, haul off, saw/cutter, printing, embossing, coil winder, packaging, etc
impact of extruder machine speed, temperature, pressure, time, haul-off speed, on product quality and production output
nature of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic principles which affect machine operation and product development
safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and clean up
the hierarchy of control including engineering controls
impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product
changes to materials at various stages of production
waste management and importance of non-conforming materials
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
interpret from production requests the correct selection and use of equipment, materials, processes and procedures
maintain output and product quality using appropriate instruments, controls, test information and readings
make adjustments to equipment operation to rectify variations in equipment operation or product quality
check extruder for correct set-up to job specifications and implement adjustments or report deviations immediately
start up equipment and make appropriate adjustments to bring process on line
take samples when required and identify product out of specification
safely shut down equipment in normal or abnormal circumstances
identify and describe own role and role of others involved directly in the extrusion process
identify factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies
identify when the operator is able to rectify faults and when assistance is required
identify hazards of the materials and process
implement appropriate procedures for hazard control
use PPE, safely handle products and materials, read relevant safety information and apply safety precautions appropriate to the task
distinguish between causes of faults such as:
routine product extrusion faults - burn marks, flow marks, poor surface finish, poor colour dispersion, blistering, colour contamination, black spots
incorrect quantity of materials
contaminated materials/additives
equipment faults.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
identify critical materials properties and extrusion process characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product
plan own work process within workplace procedures and explain the reasons for the steps in the process
take appropriate action to observe equipment, materials and products for out of specification results, make adjustments and identify problems to be reported.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
extrusion production quality and output standards are met consistently
quality is monitored to minimise wastage
process is monitored continually and adjustments made in a timely manner in accordance with workplace instructions upstream and down stream communication is timely and effective
problems are anticipated and appropriate action is taken (i.e., the problem fixed or reported)
all safety procedures are adhered to.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets and material labels as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms and production reports.
Basic numeracy is required, eg, to determine how many 2 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg.

Assessment method and context
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on an operating plant allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
by a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment.

Resource implications
This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.